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Interferon- upregulates prolactin receptor mRNA in the ovine endometrium during the peri-implantation period

Neuroendocrinologie Moléculaire de la Prise Alimentaire and ¹ Biologie du Développement et de la Reproduction, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, 78350 Jouy-en-Josas, France

Correspondence should be addressed to M Charlier; Email: charlier{at}jouy.inra.fr

Our objective was to determine the effect of ovine interferon- (IFN-) on prolactin receptor (PRL-R) gene expression in the ovine endometrium. IFN- is an embryonic cytokine which, via its paracrine anti-luteolytic activity, plays a critical role in maternal recognition of pregnancy in ruminants. Using ribonuclease protection assay procedures, we compared endometrial PRL-R mRNA levels in ewes that were intrauterine injected with either 2 mg bovine serum albumin or 2 mg recombinant ovine IFN- on day 10 of the oestrous cycle (day 0 = day of oestrus). IFN treatment significantly increased the abundance of both the long and short forms of PRL-R mRNA in the ovine uterus, but had no effect on the long:short form ratio. In situ hybridization experiments revealed that the increase in abundance of PRL-R mRNA in the uterus was localized to the glandular compartment of the endometrium. In pregnant ewes, a similar increase in PRL-R mRNA abundance was found to occur in ovine endometrium on days 14–15 post conception. Collectively, these data provided strong evidence that IFN- modulates the level of lactogenic hormone receptor mRNA in the ovine uterus. Whether the effect of IFN- on PRL-R expression is mediated directly or influenced, at least in part, by progesterone remains to be elucidated.

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